eickard



(No Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J.- R. RIGKARD. REVERSING GEAR.

Patented Jan. 1

WITNESSES \NVE N TOR (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

J. R. RIOKARD' REVERSING GEAR.

No. 596,620. Patented Jan. 4,1898.

K R i 2 a.

IiHHHHH HHHHH l Q WITNESSES. INVENTOR.

TH: "cams PETERS co. norcxumo whsmnc'ron. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE,

JAMES READ RICKARD, or LONDON, ENGLAND.

REVERSlNG-GEAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 596,620, dated January 4, 1898. Application filed June 1, 1897. Serial No. 639,060. tl lo m odel.) Patented in EnglandJune 16, 1896,1To.13,241.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES READ RICKARD, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at London, in the county of Middlesex, England, have invented a new and useful Gear for Starting, Stopping, and Reversing the Motion of and Varying the Speed of Motor- Oars, Boats, and other Mechanically- Propelled Vehicles, (for which I have obtained Letters Patent in Great Britain, No. 13,241, bearing date the 16th day of June, 1896,) of which the following is a full and complete specification.

This invention relates to an improved gear for starting, stopping, and reversing the motion of and varying the speed of the drivingaxles of motor-cars, boats, and other mecham ically-propelled conveyances with respect to the motors thereof, and it is particularly adapted for use with those types of engines, such as oil and gas engines, which cannot be conveniently reversed andwhich have to run at a given speed of rotation.

' It has been found from experience that the delicate variation of speed required in mechanically-propelled conveyances, more espe cially those adapted for use on common roads, can only be obtained by the use of some type of friction-gearing, and it is to. this type of gear that my invention relates.

In the accompanying drawings,which illustrate my invention as arranged for a motorcar, Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a view in side elevation. Fig. 2, Sheet 2, is a plan view in longitudinal section; and Fig. 3, Sheet 3, is also, a plan View, in longitudinal section, showing a modification. Fig. 4, Sheet 4, is a view in side elevation, showinga method of operating the gear; and Fig. 5, Sheet 4, is a plan view thereof, partly in section.

Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5 illustrate a gear arranged to give two positive variations of speed when driving forward and one speed when driving rearward, and Fig. 3 illustrates a gear arranged to give two positive varia-' tions of speed when driving either forward or backward, and it will be obvious to any one skilled in the construction of variablespeed gears that the number of variations of speed obtainable is only determined by the number of wheels employed.

Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.

In the construction shown by the accompanying drawings the driving-axle A and the driven axle B are placed in the same axial line. On the driven axle B is fixed a coned frictional driving-wheel O, in the boss or cen tral part of which is a coned recess or female cone 0, forming one part of a cone-clutch.

Mounted on the driving-axle A is a sleeve D,

which by means of feathers and feather-ways has an independent sliding motion, but no independent rotary motion apart from the said axle. This sleeve is of such a length that it engages also with the end of the driven axle B and thus serves, to keep the two axles in line. 'On the sleeveD, at one end thereof, is formed or fixed a male cone E, adapted to engage with the coned recess or female cone 0 of the wheel 0 and form a coneclutch. On the sleeve D are also formed or fixed at a convenient distance apart two coned friction-wheels F and F, the former being conveniently formed in one with the male cone E, as shown by Figs. 2 and 3. As an alternative construction the male cone may be formed on the coned wheel 0 and the female cone in the coned wheel F.

Encircling the sleeve D betweenthe coned wheels F and F is a box G, the internal diameter of which is of such size that it is capable of a certain amount of transverse movement The ends of the axles H are supported by suitable bearings y y, carried ,by suitable brackets Y, adapted to be fixed to any convenient part of the car, the axles being prevented from rotating in but yet allowed to move longitudinally with respect to the said bearings by means of feathers and featherways.

, The compound friction-conesJ K are moved radially with respect to the axles Aand-B by means of either of the two disks L, threaded on the axles and adapted to bear against the bosses of the-compound friction-cones.

'The disk L, which is not required to rotate,

is fixed to the axle bya cross-pin or other device. The compound friction-cones J K are mounted to rotate freely on their axle by means of ball-bearings constructed and ar ranged so that the inner rows of balls take the radial pressure only and the outer rows both the radial pressure and the end thrust,

' the said outer rows of balls taking a bearing bearings being interposed between the faces to take the thrust of the said sleeve. The clutch-collar M is mounted by means of a screw-thread, on a boss or extension N,form ed on or fixed to the bearing 00, carrying the axle A. The bearings 00 and 00 are carried by brackets X and X, adapted to be fixed to any suitable part of the car, and the said bearings are preferably braced together by means of bracket X and stays X as shown by Figs. 1 and 4, to prevent any spring between them, due to the driving thrust.

It will be seen that the sleeve D, carrying the cone E and the coned wheelsF and F, can. be moved longitudinally on the axles A and B by rotating the clutch-collar M and that the pair of double-coned wheels J K can be moved radially with respect to the axles A and B by rotating one of the disks L. In practice it is only necessary to rotate one of the said disks, as the clearance in the box Gallows the cones to take an equal bearing. on the friction-wheels with which they engage; but, if desired, both of the disks maybe actuated. Therefore by rotating the clutch-collar M and one of the disks L the desired speed of rotation can be given to the driven axle A in either a forward or backward direction. 7

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the cone E onthe sleeve D is not engaged with the coned recess or female cone c in the wheel 0, but that each of the pairs of cones J K are engagedwith the opposite sides of the coned Wheel F on the sleeve D and the coned wheel 0 on the driven axle B. Mo-

tion will therefore be imparted from the out stopping the motor, the disk L is rotated to withdraw the pair of compound cones J K from the coned wheels F and 0, respec- .direction of motion.

tively. To impart the same reduced speed of rotation to the axle B in an opposite direction to the axle A, the clutch-collar M is rotated to move the sleeve D toward the wheel 0, whereby the coned wheel F becomes disengaged with the pair of cones J and the coned Wheel F becomes engaged therewith on the opposite side, thereby reversing the To impart motion to the axle B in the same direction and at the same speed as the axle A, the double-coned wheels J K are drawn outward by rotating one of the disks L, thereby disengaging the pair of cones K from the coned wheel 0 and the pair of cones J from the coned wheel F, and allowing the sleeve D to be brought nearer to the wheel 0, so that the cone E, carried by the said sleeve, becomes engaged with the coned recess or female cone 0 in the wheel 0, whereby the two axles become clutched together and revolve at the same speed in the same direction.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be seen that an additional coned wheel F is mounted on the sleeve D, the face of which is adapted to engage with the cones K on the axles H. This coned wheel F is so mounted on the sleeve that it has no independent rotary motion apart from the said sleeve, but it has free longitudinal motion apart from the said sleeve. This wheel F is actuated by a second clutch-collar M or its equivalent, a row of balls being interposed between the boss of the wheel and the actuating-face of the clutchcollar M to take the thrust. The clutch-col lar M is mounted on the clutch-collar M by means of an opposite screwthread to the screw-thread by which the collar M is mounted on the boss or projection N and of half its pitch. This construction is useful in boats, where it is often necessary to drive the propeller at full speed astern, but it is not necessary in road-vehicles. The clutch-collar M may be actuated in a similar manner to the clutch-collar Mz'. a, by means of a chain,

worm-gear, cog-gear, or leversor it may be actuated directly bythe clutch-collar M, due to the difference in the pitches of their screwthreads by connecting it with the frame carrying the gear in such a manner that it has onlya longitudinal movement, but no rotary movement.

To balance the thrust of the pair of compound cones J K in the construction shown by Fig. 2, when the said cones are in action I mount an idle disk-wheelO on the sleeve D, having a face adapted to engage with a parallel face 7', formed on each of the cones J, the said idle-wheel bearing through a ring of balls against a thrust-plate P, supported by studs 19, mounted on the bearing 00, as shown by Fig. 1.

To enable the clutch-collar M and one of the disks L to be operated simultaneously, a toothed segment m is formed on or fixed to the clutch-collar M and a similar segment Z is formed on or fixed to one of the disks L,

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. and the two segments are geared together by means of a worm R, formed or mounted on a spindle r, carried in bearings #3 supported by the frame. The spindle R is provided with a hand-wheel 0" or its equivalent, whereby it can be rotated. The result is thatif the pitch of the threads by which the clutchcollar M is mounted on the boss or extension N and by which the disk L, carrying the quadrant l, is mounted on the end of the axle H are the same the cone E can be moved in as the pair of cones J K move outward, and vice versa.

When it is required to provide an emergency-brake in addition to the ordinarybrake of a road-vehicle, I provide means for actuating the other disk L as wellfor instance, by means of a lever Z, as shown by Figs. 4 and 5. In these two views the axle B is shown as being driven in the same direction and at the same speed as the driving-shaft A- that is to say, the sleeve D is clutched to the wheel 0 by means of the male cone E and the coned recess or female cone 0. If the lever Z be now operated so as to cause the compound cones J K to move toward each other, it will be seen that they will be brought into contact with both the coned wheel F and the coned wheel 0 at the same time, thereby effectually producing a retarding or braking effect on the driven axle B, the intensity of which is only limited by the force with which the said parts are brought into contact with each other by the amount of movement of the lever Z.

It will be obvious that without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention the axle B may be the driving-axle and the axle A the driven axle, and, further, that the motion may be taken offthe wheel 0 instead of off the axle B, in which case the axles A and B may be dispensed with.

The several cones and coned wheels may be faced with rubber or any other suitable material, and they may, if desired, be serrated or channeled or otherwise roughened to increase the frictional contact, or false-toothed rings may be inserted between the cones or coned wheels.

It will beseen that'in this improved gear all the strains are balanced, whereby the friction due to driving pressure is reduced to a minimum.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An improved gear for starting, stopping, reversing the motion of and varying the speed of motor-cars, boats and other mechanicallypropelled conveyances, consisting of a coned friction driving-wheel mounted on the axle to be driven and having a coned recess in its boss, of a sleeve so mounted on the drivingaxle that it has a free longitudinal sliding motion on the said shaft but no rotative motion apart from it, of a male cone formed on or fixed to the said sleeve and adapted to fit in the coned recess in the boss of the coned friction-wheel on the axle to be driven, of a pair of coned friction-wheels formed on or fixed to the sleeve on the driving-axle at a convenient distance apart with their driving-faces oppo site to each other, of a box surrounding the sleeve on the driving-axle between the coned friction-wheels thereon, of stud-axles mounted radially on the said box at points diametrically opposite to each other, the ends of the said axles being mounted in fixed bearings so that they cannot rotate but have a free longitudinal sliding motion, of two compound friction-cones each loosely mounted on one of the stud-axles carried by the box encircling the sleeve on the driving-axle, of disks threaded on the said stud-axles outside the compound friction-cones, of a clutch-collar threaded on a boss or extension of one of the bearings supporting the driving axle and adapted to engage with a collar or shoulder on the end of the sleeve, carrying the male cone and pair of coned wheels, of an idle friction-wheel mounted on the sleeve on the drivin g-axle and bearing against a parallel extension on the part of each ofthe compound friction-cones, of a thrust-plate carried by the bearing-brackets and bearing against the idlewheel, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. An improved gear for starting, stopping, reversing the motion of and varying the speed of motor-cars, boats and other mechanicallypropelled conveyances, consisting of a coned friction driving-wheel mounted on the axle to be driven and having a coned recess in its boss, of a sleeve so mounted on the drivingaxle that it has a free longitudinal sliding motion on the said shaft but no rotative motion apart from it, of a male cone formed on or fixed to the said sleeve and adapted to fit in the coned recess in the boss of the coned friction-wheel on the axle to be driven,0f a pair of coned friction-wheels formed on or fixed to the sleeve on the driving-axle at a convenient distance apart with their driving-faces opposite to each other, of a box surrounding the sleeve on the driving-axle between the coned friction-wheels thereon, of stud-axles mounted radially on the said box at points diametrically opposite to each other, the ends of the said axles being mounted in fixed bearings so that they cannot rotate but have a free longitudinal sliding motion, of two compound friction-cones each loosely mounted on one of the said axles carried by the box encircling the sleeve on'the driving-axle, of disks threaded on the said stud-axles outside the compound friction-cones, of a clutch-collar threaded on a boss or extension of one of the bearings supporting the drivingaxle and adapted to engage with a collar or shoulder on the end of the sleeve, carrying the male cone and pair of coned wheels, of a coned friction-wheel-mounted on the sleeveon the driving-axle and adapted to gear with the outer part of each of the compound friction-cones to impart motion to the driven axle at the ICC same speed as, but in the opposite direction to the driving-axle, the said coned frictionwheel being operated by a clutch collar threaded onto the aforesaid clutch-collar by an opposite thread of half the pitch, as and for the purpose set forth. 4

3. An improved gear for starting, stopping, reversing the motion of and varying the speed of motor-cars, boats and other mechanicallypropelled conveyances, consisting of a coned friction driving-wheel mounted on the axle to be driven and having a coned recess in its boss, of a sleeve so mounted on the driving axle that it has a free longitudinal sliding motion on the said shaft but no rotative motion apart from it, of a male cone formed on or fixed to the said sleeve and adapted to fit in the coned recess in the boss of the coned friction-Wheel on the axle to be driven, of a pair of coned friction-wheels formed on or fixed to the sleeve on the driving-axle at a convenient distance apart with their drivingfaces opposite to each other,of a box surrounding the sleeve on the driving-axle between the coned friction-Wheels thereon, of stud-axles mounted radially on the said box at points diametrically opposite to each other, the ends of the said axles being mounted in fixed bearings so that they cannot rotate but have a free longitudinal sliding motion, of two compound friction-cones each loosely mounted on one of the said axles carried by the box encircling the sleeve on the driving-axle, of disks threaded on the said stud-axles outside the compound friction-cones, one of the said disks carrying a toothed segment, of a clutch-collar furnished with a toothed segment and threaded on a boss or extension of one of the bearin gs supporting the driving-axle and adapted to engage with a collar or shoulder on the end of a sleeve carrying the male cone and pair of coned wheels, of a worm formed on a spindle which is capable of being rotated in bearings on the frame, the said Worm adapted to engage and operate the two toothed segments formed on the disk and clutch-collar respectively, of an idle friction-wheel mounted on the sleeve on the driving-axle and bearing against a parallel extension on the part of each of the compound friction-cones, of a thrust-plate carried by the bearing-brackets and bearing against the idle-Wheel, as and I for the purpose'set forth.

4. An improved gear for starting, stopping, reversing the motion of and varying the speed of motor-cars, boats, and other mechanically propelled conveyances, consisting of a coned friction driving-Wheel mounted on the axle to be driven andhaving a coned recess in its boss, of a sleeve so mounted on the drivingaxle that it has a free longitudinal sliding w motion on the said shaft but no rotative motion apart from it, of a male cone formed on or fixed to the said sleeve and adapted to fit in the coned recess in the boss of the coned friction-Wheel on the axle to be driven, of a pair of coned friction-Wheels formed on or fixed to the sleeve on the driving-axle at a convenient distance apart with their drivingfaces opposite to each other,of a box surro unding the sleeve on the driving-axle between the coned friction-wheels thereon, of stud-axles mounted radially on the said box at points diametrically opposite to each other, the ends of the said axles being mounted in fixed bearings so that they cannot rotate but have a free longitudinal sliding motion, of two compound friction-cones each loosely mounted on one of the said axles carried by the box encircling the sleeve on the driving-axle, of disks threaded on the said stud-axles outside the compound friction-cones, the one carrying a toothed segment and the other a lever so as to enable the two disks to be operated independently of each other, of a clutch-collar furnished with a toothed segment and threaded on a boss or extension of one of the bearings supporting the driving-axle and adapted to engage with a collar or shoulder on the endof a sleeve carrying the male cone and pair of coned Wheels, of a worm formed on a spindle which is capable of being rotated in bearings, the said WOIDl adapted to engage and operate the two toothed segments formed on the disk and clutch-collar respectively, of an idle frictionwheel mounted on the sleeve on the drivingaxle and bearing against a parallel extension on the part of each of the compound frictioncones, of a thrust-plate carried by the bearing-brackets and bearing against the idlewheel, as and for the purpose set forth.

JAMES READ RIOKARD.

WVitne sses:

ROBERT E. PHILLIPS,

ALFRED K. CROAD.

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